FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Lota Small Business Loans
Let me know about the Lota Small Business Loans
Lota unsecured loans offers the range of $5,000 to $100,000. The terms range between 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
What is the Unsecured Loan different from an ordinary company loan?
It is imaginable to apply to the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes via the internet or over the phone. You’ll get an answer within the same day and have the funds in your account within 24 hours. Traditional business loans have an annual interest rate along with other charges and fees. Our business loan is a pre-paid loan and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any fees, charges or charges. This is then divided into weekly or daily repayment figure.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for almost every company use, including cash flow management, business remodeling, marketing to purchase inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and so much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Lota Business Loans
What is the Larger Lota Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. The loan ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for a fixed period of up to 36 months. The repayments are made weekly or fortnightly, depending on you cashflow.
How’s the Origination Fee calculated?
The Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee that is determined at 2.5% of the amount of the loan.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
In order to be eligible for a loan of this size the company needs to be in operation for at least 3 years with an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) at least 18 years old, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to demonstrate at least 12 months of trading.
What can I use the funding for?
A Business Loan of a larger size is a great option for almost all business purpose including company improvements, purchasing equipment or inventory for general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available for personal use.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required for accessing funds over $150,000. It is usually by taking a charge against assets, and could include registration in the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A director’s or personal ensure is a promise to repay credit that is generally based rather than defining the security for a particular asset. The person who is signing the ensure is personally liable in the event that the company borrower is unable to make the repayment.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are which are registered with respect to personal property (including items or assets). The PPSR grants the priority of personal property granted depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
An affidavit is an official form of document to provide the public notice of a legal claim on a property.
What exactly is a preapproval without Credit Check?
If you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan of more than $250K we may be able to provide an initial pre-approval in order to ease the process. We might be able to get this done without a credit check, and within 6 hours of your initial application. This pre-approval is based on an initial evaluation that involves you answering some financial well-being checks. It’s not an offer or guarantee of finance. Acceptance without condition is subject to an exhaustive credit evaluation, and any offer that you might receive could be based on different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may apply for a company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- you must prove at least 6 months of trading (for you to qualify for unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The application process is fast and simple. Complete the online form in just a few minutes, and an experienced company expert in lending will contact you to assist you.
To apply for up $100,000, you’ll require identification details (valid Driver’s Licence) along with an active NZBN/IRD, and at least six months of bank statements.
For larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K-$250K: Information about the application including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K – $500K: Application details including credit consent twelve months of bank records, IRD statements and the last two years’ finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables Summary.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually provide an answer within one hour if you make your application during quality company timings and permit us to utilise the bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to submit copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer the decision in as little as one company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be able to provide you with conditional pre-approval in around 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval, turnaround times are about 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is ensure you apply during normal business hours. Also, let us use the advance bank verification link to verify your bank information online. If you decide to send us duplicates of your banking statements it takes a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the cash?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K to $100K) we usually provide an answer in just one hour if you apply at standard business hours and allow us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you decide to upload copies of your bank statements we can provide a decision in as little as the span of one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K to $500K) We may be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait about 2-3 days for final approval, however this can be faster depending upon the circumstances for each application. Some agreements have been approved within 24 hours.
The most effective method is to ensure you apply during standard business hours. You can also let us use the sophisticated bank verification to check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it will take a little longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $500,000. When you submit an application for a certain amount we look at a variety of aspects for determining your health of your business as well as the amount of repayments that your business will be able to support. The amount you receive from the loan will be determined by the particular circumstances the company.
When you make an application for a particular amount, we will consider a number of variables to assess how much we can lend you such as health that is your company as well as the amount of repayments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will depend on the specific circumstances the business.
Fees & repayments
How do you charge for an business loan?
When you apply for the business loan, we will assess the risk profile that you have for your company and provide you with a tailored offer including the amount of loan, the term and the interest rates. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll know in advance the total amount to be paid, including any charges or interest.
What is the basis for the rate I will be charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various factors like the amount of money borrowed, what company assets the money will be used for as well as the field the company is in, how long the business is in operation, in the event that the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and also the general health and creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our business loans. You’ll know precisely what it is that you need to pay, and at what time, from the very first day. There’s no compounding and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an Application Fee. You can apply for a loan with without any upfront costs or the obligation to take action.
The Origination Fee covers the costs associated with the setting up and management of the loan. You are only charged this cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5% of the amount of loan.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan earlier?
You can repay all of your loan at any point in time.
If you choose to take this route, please speak to our friendly company credit professionals. They will provide you with the details of your repayment as well as an early payout amount. This is calculated as the total of the principal remaining and any accrued interest at the time of early payout plus 1.5 percent of the principal amount remaining and any fees that remain unpaid.
What are the repayment methods?
To ensure that you don’t miss due dates and also to be in line your cash flow schedule, we provide payments that are either daily or weekly. These are automatically deducted from the nominated business account.
Security & privacy
Will my data be protected?
Protecting your information, and making it clear how we collect the information we collect, use, share and ensure the security of your information is vital and an integral part of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We use industry recognised encryption standards to protect your sensitive, personal financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to security for our clients and privacy. We use an advanced banking verification system to immediately confirm your bank account information online to offer an immediate response.
About business loans
How do you define asset-based lending (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where the business owner makes use of an asset they own to make a loan. The asset can be a personal asset like the family home or a business asset like a truck as well as a piece of machine.
The majority of the lenders not just the major banks, prefer to secure loans against an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, then the asset might be offered for sale by the lender. In essence it’s a way of securing new financing by using the worth of the asset you already have.
Do I need security to get an business loan?
For loans of up to $150,000, there is no requirement for asset security in advance to gain access to the funds However, we do need the personal guarantee. If you adhere to the terms of your loan (as detailed in your loan contract) Asset security is not required. If you take out loans in excess of $150K typically, you will need personal ensure and security in the form the charge of assets.